Puncture-closing device fob tires



B. URICH.

PUNCTURE CLOSING DEVICE FOR TIRES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9. 19m.

1,313,868. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

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BENJAMIN ULRICH, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

PUNCTURE-CLOSING DEVICE FOR TIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed January 9, 1919. Serial No. 270,434.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN Union, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of WVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Puncture-Closing Devices for Tires, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in so-called rubber band shooters, or, in other words, a device for retainin a rubber band in a stretched or extended position until being inserted in the tire puncture, and which band will, when disengaged, be forced upon each side of the puncture preparatory to securing the same in place by the application of an ordinary rubber cement.

My invention is further explained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in

Figure 1 is a front view of a device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, part in section.

Fig. 3 is a front view, as used in the act of forcing a rubber in a puncture.

Fig. t shows the device in position as the rubber is disengaged from the holding hook, preparatoryto removing the band holding device from the tire.

Like parts are identified by the same reference numerals throughout the several views.

In the devices for this purpose as heretofore constructed, the hooks have been pivoted to the handle in such a manner that when the elastic band is connected with the hook, it tends to swing to the position of release, and locking showing my device devices have therefore been employed to hold the hooks in band retaining position until the locking devices are manually released by the operator. By-

my improvement, the hook is pivotally con nected with the handle in such a manner that the tension of the elastic band will tend to hold it in band retaining position, from which position it can only be moved to band releasing position by manual pressure exerted upon the shank. My improved device is therefore adapted to expedite the work, since the band can be much more readily and quickly adjusted under tension, with one end engaged by the fork, and the other end engaged by the hook, and an instant release is possible after the band has band been carried by the fork through the opening or puncture in the tire.

In my improved structure, the hook 1 1s formed of a piece of wire, extended to form a shank having an elbowed portion 4: at rlght angles to the plane of the hook, and adapted to constitute a pivotal axis about wlnch the hook may swing, when the portion t is mounted in an aperture in the handle, as hereinafter described. Beyond the portion 4t, the shank is again elbowed, and extended substantially parallel to the plane of the hook for a substantial distance, and the extremity bent to form an eye, which constitutes an operating piece 2, as best shown in Fig. 2' of the drawings.

The needle 7 is provided with a forked extremity 8 which is secured to a suitable handle 8, the latter preferably comprising a flat piece of metal having a reduced portion, to the extremity of which the needle 7 1s attached. The reduced portion of the handle is provided with an aperture, which receives the portion 4: of the hook shank, and provides a pivot bearing in which said portion 4 may oscillate. It will be observed in Fig. 3, that when the hook extends downwardly in the direction of the needle from its pivotal axis 4, the handle portion 2 will extend laterally from the handle and preferably upwardly at a slight inclination toward the wider upper portion of the handle. The eye 2 is preferably formed in a plane at right angles to the fiat surface of the handle, and when in the position above described, it may be readily subjected to pressure by the fore-finger of the operator for the purpose of pushing it downwardly, and swinging the hook 1 to releasing position, i. 6., laterally at the other side of the handle, until the rubber band 3 will be released from the hook.

The operation of the device will be readily understood by anyone familiar with this art. The rubber band will be engaged in one or more loops within the fork 8, at the lower Or outer end of the needle 7. The other end of the band will then be distended and engaged with the hook 1, the hook being swung to a position between its pivotal connection 4 and the needle, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The needle will then be forced through the puncture in the tire, carrying a portion of the rubber band with it, as illustrated in Fig. 3, whereupon a downward pressure of the finger or thumb of the operator upon the handle 2, whereby the handle is pressed to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4, will swing the hook 1 to the opposite side of the handle 9, and release the band.

-'It is obvious that when the hook 1 is thus thrown by the pressure of the finger upon the lever 2, the upper end 6 of the elastic band will be looped in the position shown in Fig. 4, when the needle 7 is withdrawn from the puncture 8 of the tire, whereby a plurality of loops are formed upon the inside of the tire, and whereby the hole in the tire is completely closed as soon as a small quantity of rubber cement is applied. The needle 7 provided with the end slot 8, is substantially of ordinary construction, and the bandle 9 is also of ordinary construction. The needle 7 is secured to the handle 9 in any ordinary manner.

Attention is called to the fact that when the hook 1 is drawn down by the elastic band 3, it becomes unnecessary to hold either the lever or the hook, as the bands themselves perform the office of holding such pants, and I am thereby enabled by thus locating such hook and pivotal support in the relative pisition shown, to greatly simplify the 1 construction.

thumb or fingerof the user to swing the hook to band releasing position.

2. In a puncture closing device for tires, the combination with a suitable handle and needle, said needle having a bifurcated end, of a hook, a lever, and a pivotal support formed in a single piece located in and turning freely in said handle, said hook being adapted to be held by said elastic band when taut, and to be turned to the disengaging position by a downward pressure upon said lever.

3. In a puncture closing device for tires, the combination with a suitable handle and needle, said needle having a bifurcated end, of. a hook, a lever, and a support therefor formed in a single piece, pivoted to said handle, said hook being adapted to be held by said elastic band when taut, and to be turned to the disengaging position by a downward pressure upon said lever.

4:. In a puncture closing device for tires, the combination with a handle and a needle, said needle having a forked end, of a lever pivoted to the handle and having a hook adapted to be held in operative position by an elastic band when taut, and to be turned to disengaging position by pressure upon the said lever.

5. In a puncture closing device for tires, the combination with a handle and a needle, said needle having a forked end, of a lever pivoted to the handle and having a hook adapted to be held in operative position by an elastic band when taut, and to be turned to disengage the elastic band from the hook.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in'the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN URICI-I.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

